Grading each team through first half of 2023 MLB season
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2023-07-11 03:26
With the halfway point of the season here, we’re handing out MLB midseason grades to each team. Who is excelling and who has failed the test?The All-Star break in MLB has arrived. Every team has played at least 81 of its 162 games. As a result, it is now time to assess each team's per...

With the halfway point of the season here, we're handing out MLB midseason grades to each team. Who is excelling and who has failed the test?

The All-Star break in MLB has arrived. Every team has played at least 81 of its 162 games. As a result, it is now time to assess each team's performance with a midterm report card.

Each team will be evaluated based on its preseason win total, current trajectory, and grade categories. The preseason win projections by DraftKings were published on March 29, the day before Opening Day. The team's grade is based on how their current trajectory compares to their preseason win total.

So let's dive into it, going division-by-division through all 30 MLB teams and giving out midseason grades to each.

MLB Midseason Grades: AL East

2023 MLB midseason report card — Tampa Bay Rays: A+

The Rays had a strong start in mid-May and were on track to break the record for the most wins in MLB history at 126. However, they couldn't maintain their pace and have seen a decrease in their slugging. In June, they hit only 25 home runs compared to the 61 they hit in March and April.

Despite this, they're still considered one of the best teams in baseball. They've hit the most home runs in the American League this year (137) and have the most stolen bases (111).

However, their power outage has caused their grip to slip. They're facing some challenges with Cy Young favorite, Shane McClanahan, landing on the Injured List, and they've already lost Jeffrey Springs for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Drew Rasmussen landed on the IL two months ago as well and his status has not been updated.

Despite these setbacks, the Rays remain in a good position in the AL East and may choose to ride out their current situation.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Baltimore Orioles: A

It's interesting to note that the Orioles only suffered a three-game losing streak for the first time two weeks ago. Their previous losing streak happened in May during back-to-back games against the Braves and Rays, resulting in a 3-3 record overall.

Despite this, the team has consistently managed to avoid prolonged losing skids. They're on track to have the sixth-best record in the league. Additionally, rookie star Gunnar Henderson and sophomore star Adley Rutschman have been performing well for the past seven weeks, adding to the team's overall success and making it more believable that they will continue to perform well.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Toronto Blue Jays: B

The Blue Jays possess a strong starting rotation except for Alek Manoah and an outstanding closer in Jordan Romano, who leads the American League with 26 saves. Furthermore, six players on the team, including Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Daulton Varsho, Matt Chapman, and Danny Jansen, have double-digit home runs.

Despite these advantages, the team has yet to meet their expectations for the season, staying close in the wild-card race but never breaking through. The struggles are largely due to their 7-20 record against the AL East. Bo Bichette and Matt Chapman have stood out and are likely to receive votes for the MVP award, while Kevin Gausman has a chance at the Cy Young award.

2023 MLB midseason report card — New York Yankees: C

The Yankees are still in contention for a playoff spot and had a historic moment last week with Domingo Germán's perfect game against Oakland.

However, this season hasn't gone as planned due to several key injuries. Players like Aaron Judge, Harrison Bader, Giancarlo Stanton, and Josh Donaldson have only played 156 games out of a possible 354. Carlos Rodón, who signed to a six-year, $162 million deal didn't make his Yankees debut until this weekend, and Nestor Cortes went on the injured list just days after his rotation mate, Luis Severino, made his season debut in May. Severino has struggled himself with a 7.38 ERA on the season.

The grade is because the Yankees have had more players on the injured list than any other team this season, and they still have the potential to perform better. At least managment is taking notice. Following Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs in the rubber game of their three game series, Brian Cashman fired hitting coach Dillion Lawson and hired Sean Casey. The move came as a surprise for it was the first time Cashman had switched coaches in the middle of a season.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Boston Red Sox: B

Despite being in the basement, the Red Sox have performed well in the highly competitive AL East, with a 15-11 overall record against the top teams in their division.

However, they have struggled in interleague play, particularly at home, where the Marlins, Pirates, and Cardinals swept them. Despite winning series against division leaders like Arizona, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, they have an 11-18 record against National League teams.

To make up ground in the playoff race, the Red Sox must perform well in upcoming games against NL teams like the Cubs, Mets, Braves, and Giants, as they aim to avoid becoming sellers at the trade deadline.

MLB Midseason Grades: AL Central

2023 MLB midseason report card — Cleveland Guardians: C

The Cleveland Guardians started the season with a 10-9 record but have struggled since then. However, their offense has shown signs of improvement in recent games, with players like José Ramírez and Josh Naylor stepping up their game in June. The improvement briefly allowed the Guardians to surpass the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.

Fans are now excited about rookie catcher Bo Naylor, who debuted on June 18. Yes, he's struggling with a .196 batting average, but there's hope for the future. There's also hope for Clevland in 2023. The AL Central is swimming in a pool of mediocrity. Can the Guardians take advantage?

2023 MLB midseason report card — Minnesota Twins: C

Minnesota's pitchers, including Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Pablo López, have impressed this season, each with an ERA below 4.00. Additionally, Jhoan Duran has been successful in his ninth-inning appearances, earning 15 saves.

However, their offense has struggled with a .232 batting average which is ranked 25th in the league. Although they're in the playoff race, the team competes in the 2023 AL Central, potentially the weakest division in history.

The Twins have made significant investments in their roster, including giving Carlos Correa $200 million over six years, compared to their divisional competitors, but they have yet to see the desired outcome.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Detroit Tigers: C

In late May, the Tigers were doing surprisingly well, coming within one game of the Twins and reaching nearly .500. However, their fortunes quickly changed when their top players, Eduardo Rodriguez and Riley Greene, were sidelined with injuries. As a result, the team's record plummeted from 25-26 to 27-39 in just two weeks.

Despite having several players on the IL, the Tigers have managed to maintain a mediocre record over their last 16 games. However, they are still expected to be a 65-70 win team and may be looking to sell at the trade deadline. Regardless, they'll always savor the combined no-hitter they notched against Toronto this weekend.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Chicago White Sox: F

Although the White Sox are 16 games below .500, the AL Central division is determined to prevent them from giving up. They're only eight games back of the Twins, putting them closer to a playoff spot than the Red Sox and giving them an easier route than the Padres.

However, apart from Luis Robert Jr. and Jake Burger, this season has been a huge letdown for the White Sox, and it seems likely they will have to sell off some players at the trade deadline.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Kansas City Royals: F

The Royals wasted no time trading their most valuable asset, Aroldis Chapman, to the Rangers for pitcher Cole Ragans and 17-year-old prospect Roni Cabrera. By doing so, they turned him into a three-month rental instead of a two-month rental and potentially got more out of the deal.

However, it's unfortunate that the Royals have had a rough start to the season and are already resigned to playing for a draft position. The new lottery system for the top six picks has made the race between Kansas City and Oakland for the worst record less interesting. Let the tank race begin!

MLB Midseason Grades: AL West

2023 MLB midseason report card — Texas Rangers: A

According to Pythagorean records, the Rangers are the unluckiest team despite their impressive record and division lead. Their +148 run differential suggests they should have a record of 59-32 instead of their current 52-39. Their offense leads the league with 531 runs scored.

They did make a wise move in trading for Aroldis Chapman to strengthen their bullpen, which is currently their only potential weakness. It won't be a surprise if they acquire at least one more reliever to maintain their lead in the AL West.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Houston Astros: D

The reigning champs have been subpar since their second sweep of Oakland on May 28. They have a record of 19-20, and the pitching staff is mostly responsible for this mediocre performance. However, Framber Valdez and J.P. France have been exceptions, each making five starts in June with a 2.75 ERA or lower.

The Astros have struggled to win series against teams that are not at least eight games below .500, allowing at least five runs in 13 out of 30 games. Despite this, like the Yankees and Dodgers, Houston is still in a good position to make the playoffs.

Yordan Alvarez's absence due to an oblique injury and Jose Altuve's recent IL trip has been a setback for the team, but hopefully, they will return to the lineup shortly after the All-Star break. The Astros need them to chase down the Rangers and win the AL West.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Seattle Mariners: C

After two consecutive seasons of being one of the luckiest teams in baseball, the Mariners are struggling to win close games in 2023. In the past, they had a record of 67-41 in one-run games and 25-12 in extra-inning games between 2021 and 2022, but this year, they are 10-16 and 4-8, respectively, which leads the majors in losses that required at least 10 innings.

Seattle's offensive performance has been poor, with a .233 team batting average, ranking them 24th in MLB.

With the All-Star break here, Seattle must act quickly to improve their performance.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Los Angeles Angels: C

Shohei Ohtani might win the double Triple Crown. He currently leads the majors in home runs (32) and ranks high in other categories like RBI, strikeouts, batting average, and ERA. The Angels may not be a powerhouse team, but compared to recent years, they have had a fairly successful season thus far. The franchise has had a reputation for wasting the prime years of their star players, Mike Trout and Ohtani, but this year they are on track for their first winning season since 2015 and have a chance at their first postseason appearance since 2014.

Sadly, the Angels are unlikely to make the playoffs if the season ended today, and Trout has recently been placed on the IL. It is uncertain when he will return, which may slow down their momentum. The Angels have already faced several injuries, with Zach Neto, Gio Urshela, Logan O'Hoppe, and Brandon Drury already on the IL. With five starters out, winning games will be challenging, especially since the offense has struggled to score.

As the season progresses, the Angels must decide what to do with Ohtani, who is in the final year of his contract. The Angels want to keep him. However, this may change if Trout is out for an extended period. It's not worth losing Ohtani for nothing, especially if Trout is out for a while. If Trout is only out for a few games or at least 10 days, making any hasty decisions is unnecessary. But if his absence is prolonged, holding onto Ohtani may not be worth the risk.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Oakland Athletics: F

On June 5, the A's had a .194 winning percentage with a record of 12-50. Against the odds, they managed to win seven consecutive games, even against teams like Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Tampa Bay, who had winning records then. It helped lift them from their trajectory of being worse than the 40-120 New York Mets in 1962. But since then, they've gone back to their old ways.

They still have the worst record in the major leagues. The ownership led by John Fisher also deserves this grade for sabotaging Oakland's last professional sports team. Moving to Vegas will only do much good if their move in 2028 puts the right product on the field.

MLB Midseason Grades: NL East

2023 MLB midseason report card — Atlanta Braves: A

Currently, the Atlanta Braves are the top team in baseball, overtaking the Tampa Bay Rays. Their recent record of winning 12 out of the last 15 games, including taking two of three from the Rays in Tampa Bay proves this. The Braves have been performing well in various aspects of the game. Ronald Acuna Jr. has been a valuable player for Atlanta and is a strong contender for the National League MVP award.

Despite several injuries, the Braves have managed to stay on top with the help of a deep lineup led by MVP-caliber play from MLB jersey-selling leader Ronald Acuna Jr. and catcher Sean Murphy, along with impressive performances from young starter and all-star Bryce Elder and a stable of relivers. Notably, staff ace Max Fried and Kyle Wright, MLB's only 20-game winner last season, have only made five starts each and are expected to be on the IL until after the All-Star break.

However, the Braves have overcome their absence and earlier IL stints for key players, including catcher Travis d'Arnaud, center fielder Michael Harris II, closer Raisel Iglesias, and shortstop Orlando Arcia, who returned from a fractured wrist without going on a rehab assignment, and turned in an All-Star worthy first half performance.

Atlanta has a franchise record of eight all-stars (Ronald Acuna Jr., Sean Murphy, Orlando Arcia, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder), including their entire infield, headed to Seattle.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Miami Marlins: A

Although some may consider the Marlins fortunate, they have consistently performed well throughout the season. Their -5 run differential indicates they should have a record of 45-47, but they continue to impress.

The team boasts talented players like Luis Arraez, who maintains a batting average near .400, and Jorge Soler, with a team-leading 23 home runs. While reigning CY Young winner Sandy Alcantra has struggled, 25-year-old Jesuses Lezado has stepped up.

The Marlins have a strong record of 28-13 since May 26, particularly in one-run games. Although they have struggled against the NL East leaders, Atlanta, with a record of 1-10, they have performed well against teams like Oakland, Kansas City, Washington, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh. Despite doubts, the Marlins may surprise as active buyers at the trade deadline.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Philadelphia Phillies: C

As of June 2, the Phillies had a record of 25-32. They were tied with the Nationals for last place in the NL East. However, they have turned their season around and have been one of the best teams in baseball, with a record of 23-9. They are now in contention for a playoff spot.

Last week, their 19-4 rout of Washington gave them a positive run differential for the first time this season. They also swept the Rays 3-0 in Tampa Bay, before dropping their series in Miami.

Despite their improvement, the reigning NL champs still have a ways to go to meet the expectations set before the season. It would be a significant boost to the team if Bryce Harper, who has not hit a home run since May 26, could regain his form.

2023 MLB midseason report card — New York Mets: F

Mets owner Steve Cohen invested $445 million to improve the team, but they're losing instead of winning. Money alone can't build a winning team. Although they're fourth in the NL East, the Mets can still enter the playoffs through the Wild Card route.

The Mets had a great season last year with 101 wins, but they've struggled despite having mostly the same players this year.

Manager Buck Showalter is known for his meticulous approach, but the team has made errors and mental mistakes. Despite criticism, the Mets support Showalter and don't blame him for their poor play. The struggles of Max Scherzer (4.31 ERA), Justin Verlander (3.60 ERA), and their bullpen without Edwin Diaz (4.12 ERA) haven't helped matters.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Washington Nationals: B

Despite being projected for the worst record in baseball at the start of the season, the Nationals have pleasantly surprised many. While they plan to trade Jeimer Candelario, one of their most valuable players, breakout star Lane Thomas and young pitchers Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore have stepped up. Additionally, the under-25 Keibert Ruiz, CJ Abrams, and Luis García clubs have shown they can play daily.

The Nationals' focus this season has been on finding building blocks for the future rather than winning games.

MLB Midseason Grades: NL Central

2023 MLB midseason report card — Cincinnati Reds: A

Even before calling up Elly De La Cruz on June 6, the Reds were starting to heat up, winning seven out of 12 before the rookie's triumphant arrival. But since getting their star prospect on the roster, they've been 22-8. Joey Votto returning helps too.

Whether they win the NL Central remains to be seen, but the Reds will probably be the first team to reach the over on their preseason win total.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Milwaukee Brewers: B

The Brewers have been consistently close to the top of the NL Central division throughout the season, sometimes even taking the lead by a couple of games. However, they have also been a close second. As the regular season nears its end, they are likely to still be in the running for the NL Central crown.

There are some concerns, though. Will pitcher Brandon Woodruff recover from his shoulder injury in time? Can Corbin Burnes, who has performed well this season with a 4.00 ERA, step up and help the team finish strong? Christian Yelich, who had a great June with a .311 batting average, could also make a significant contribution and potentially replicate his NL MVP form from five years ago.

Despite not meeting preseason expectations, it still seems like Milwaukee's division to lose.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Chicago Cubs: B

The Cubs have the potential to follow in the Mariners' footsteps from last season by becoming a strong contender after a surge in early July. They possess exciting young talents such as Nico Hoerner, All-Star Justin Steele, Christopher Morel and Patrick Wisdom.

However, despite this, the Cubs have yet to achieve a winning record and remain an unpredictable team one month before the trade deadline.

They could either improve and win the NL Central or struggle through a relatively easy second half of July before potentially trading their stars, including All-Star Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Pittsburgh Pirates: B

Despite the solid performances of veteran players Rich Hill, Andrew McCutchen, and Carlos Santana, the Pirates have struggled in recent months.

While young players like Mitch Keller and Jack Suwinski show promise for the future, the team has only won 22 of their last 60 games after winning 20 of their first 28, putting them in competition with Oakland and Kansas City for the worst record since late April. The Pirates suffered a 10-game losing streak and lost a home series to the A's.

They will only win their division if they go on a hot streak.

2023 MLB midseason report card — St. Louis Cardinals: F

The Cardinals struggled at the start of the season but showed improvement in late May by winning 14 of their last 20 games and moving up to third place in the division, only four games behind.

However, their success was short-lived as they lost 17 of their next 26 games, including a humiliating 14-0 defeat to the Astros in their final game of June. As a result, the outlook for the team in St. Louis during August and September may not be very promising.

There is speculation about whether they will trade some of their pitchers who will become free agents next month or hold onto them, such as Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Hicks, and others. If they do decide to trade their pitchers, they may also consider moving Paul Goldschmidt or Tyler O'Neill, who are scheduled to become free agents after next season.

MLB Midseason Grades: NL West

2023 MLB midseason report card — Los Angeles Dodgers: B-

Yes, they're in a tie for first place but the Dodgers are not performing as well as expected. Coming off a 116-win season, they were projected to top the National League. However, they are trailing the Braves by ten games and the Diamondbacks by one and a half games in the NL West. They're jockeying with other teams, such as the Marlins, Giants, and Phillies, for a wild-card spot.

While the Dodgers had a successful run in early May, winning 14 out of 16 games and briefly holding first place in the NL, they have since struggled with more three-game losing streaks than winning streaks due to issues with their starting rotation, including All-Star Clayton Kershaw who's gone on the IL.

According to FanGraphs, the Dodgers' starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 5.34 since May 16, which is second worst in the league behind the Rockies(7.39). The underperformances of Chris Taylor, Yency Almonte, David Peralta, Miguel Rojas, Trayce Thomson, and Noah Syndergaard have yet to help.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Arizona Diamondbacks: A-

Surprisingly, Arizona became the first NL West team and the fourth overall team to reach 50 wins, considering the preseason predictions.

While behind the Dodgers in May, the Diamondbacks took the lead in early June and held it for almost a month.

Ketel Marte has regained his 2019 form as an NL MVP candidate, and rookie Corbin Carroll, before injuring his shoulder on Thursday, has been making a strong case for this year's NL MVP award with a .290 batting average, 18 home runs, and 24 stolen bases.

However, losing Merrill Kelly to the IL due to a blood clot could be a significant setback for Arizona's pitching. They were already looking to add a starting pitcher before the trade deadline, but now it's even more crucial.

2023 MLB midseason report card — San Francisco Giants: B

The Giants have proven themselves as a playoff contender. They climbed the standings with a 10-game winning streak in June and sport an impressive 38-25 record since May.

Despite initial concerns about the team's player signings, they have received remarkable performances from their entire roster. Key players like Logan Webb, Camilo Doval, and the Rogers twins have been dominating in the bullpen, while underrated offensive contributors like Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Patrick Bailey (a 24-year-old catcher taken in the first round of 2020) have been stepping up.

2023 MLB midseason report card — San Diego Padres: F

The Padres' star-studded lineup needs to perform consistently. While Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. have been impressive, Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado are still finding their footing after signing deals worth $630 million this offseason. Unfortunately, the Padres lack depth beyond these four players, making it difficult to stay afloat when two are struggling.

The team's +39 run differential is also a positive sign, but they must make up a lot of ground to enter the wild-card conversation.

Winning an extra-inning game would be a significant boost, especially considering the team's current 0-8 record in such games.

2023 MLB midseason report card — Colorado Rockies: D

On June 24, the Rockies suffered a significant loss of 25-1 against the Angels. Unfortunately, their pitching has been subpar throughout the season.

After their shutout win against the Phillies on May 14, the Rockies allowed multiple runs in 49 consecutive games, which amounted to 327 runs. This statistic is the highest among all teams by 67 runs. On average, they have allowed almost six runs per game. It's not new for the Rockies, as they have consistently struggled with their pitching for three decades, especially Coors Field. This season, they have had 11 different pitchers with an ERA of 4.70 or worse who have made multiple starts.

Additionally, they need more firepower to hit their way through bad pitching, with only one player, Ryan McMahon, hitting 10 or more home runs.

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